This falafel pita recipe can be an inspiration for how you can customize a pita with your favourite ingredients. Make my falafel recipe for crispy on the outside, soft on the inside falafel that don't fall apart as they cook!
Packed with freshness
Crispy & fluffy falafel
A flavourful tahini sauce
And stuffed into soft pita
The Falafel
My falafel recipe is inspired by authentic recipes like this one from The Mediterranean Dish. I tried to make falafel on a number of occasions and it always ended up becoming a falafel crumble. The patties would not hold together as they cooked and finally, I realized why.
The recipes I had been following all called for canned chickpeas but authentic falafel is made from soaked chickpeas that have not been cooked. Since I have been cooking chickpeas from scratch for years now, I always have dried chickpeas on hand. I gave this traditional method a try and it worked perfectly!
Although there is a bit more prep work involved, the falafel only takes about 25 minutes to make. The only difference, is needing to soak the dried chickpeas in cold water in your fridge for 18-24 hours prior to blending the falafel mixture.
Ingredients For This Falafel Pita Recipe
The falafel is certainly the star of this falafel pita recipe. It provides all the protein and great texture. Whether you decide to bake or fry your falafel, the outside is crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy.
Other ingredients I add to this falafel pita are:
- Spinach
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Quick Pickled Red Onion
- And my Lemon Tahini Dressing
Feel free to customize your pita to your liking:
- Use any leafy greens or herbs you have on hand.
- Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill would be most traditional.
- And any other cold veggies like bell pepper and radishes.
Tahini Dressing
Simply whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, water, salt, and a dash of sesame oil to create my Lemon Tahini Dressing. The sesame oil is optional if you prefer an oil-free dressing!
In just seconds really, you can stir up this dressing and it's the perfect addition of flavour to your pita.
Cost Of This Falafel Pita Recipe
This falafel pita recipe costs me less than $5 Canadian and is a great make ahead lunch option. If I buy a similar pita from a lunch spot I can expect to pay at least $10.
If I'm taking this pita on the road or to work, I like to keep the pita and dressing separate from the filling and then simply stuff the filling into the pita right before I eat it. This way everything stays as fresh and crisp as possible.
If you prefer the ease of creating a bowl instead of a pita, try toasting some pita on the side like I do for my Falafel Bowl Recipe! This way you get the best of both worlds!
Let me know in the comments below how you customize this falafel pita recipe! If you're a lover of sandwiches for lunch, make sure you take a look at my Chickpea Smash Sandwich too!
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Falafel Pita
- Total Time: 10 minutes (plus falafel cooking time)
- Yield: 1 large pita 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Use this falafel pita recipe & customize your pita! My soaked chickpea falafel don't fall apart & my tahini dressing is ready in seconds!
Ingredients
- 1 large pita, cut in half
- 1 cup spinach, packed (or greens/herbs of choice)
- ½ cup tomato, chopped
- ½ cup cucumber, chopped
- 6 falafel
- Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Quick pickled red onion
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- If using a large pita, I find it easiest to slice the pita in half and open the pockets from the inside. This way you have two halves of pita to fill instead of trying to open and fill one large pocket. However, different brands of pita will be easier to manipulate in different ways so do what works best for what you have!
- Fill each half of your pita bread with ½ cup spinach or leafy greens/herbs of choice. Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill are most traditionally used.
- Add some fresh cold vegetables like the chopped tomato and cucumber I suggest.
- Add 3 falafel to each pita pocket (or use however many falafel you can comfortably fit in your pita).
- Drizzle generously with my simple Lemon Tahini Dressing and top with other garnishes like Quick Pickled Red Onion for some bite and toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
Approximate Cost: less than $5 CAD vs. at least $10 for a similar pita purchased out.
To toast your own sesame seeds, spread raw sesame seeds on a frying pan over low heat for 1-3 minutes until they turn golden brown. Remove promptly from the hot pan to avoid burning the seeds and allow to cool in a separate dish.
- Category: Burgers & Sandwiches
- Method: Various
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern Inspired
Marabel
This was so good! I packed the pita with parsley instead of spinach (I have so much in my garden right now). The falafel came out perfectly and I had all the ingredients for your tahini sauce. Thank you for a lovely fresh lunch.
Kathryn Alexandre
Oh I'm sure that parsley was fantastic! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and you're very welcome. Thank YOU for taking the time to leave a lovely review.